Lubricating arrangement of chain assemblage

ABSTRACT

The present invention pertains to a lubricating arrangement of a chain assemblage serving to coat chain components. Particularly, the lubricating arrangement includes a first non-electrolytic nickel layer and a second PTFE alloy layer that possess 3 to 35 vol % PTFE, whereby the present invention conduces to attain an automatically lubricating capability, increase the surface hardness of the chain assemblage, and prolong the utilization thereof without affecting the tensile strength.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a lubricating arrangement of a chainassemblage, in particular to one applied to coat the chain components ofthe chain assemblage with layers of non-electrolytic nickel andPolytetrafluoroethylene alloy to attain effects of automaticallylubricating and increasing the surface hardness and durability of thechain without burdening the tensile strength.

2. Description of the Related Art

Generally, the assemblage of the chain is required to be immersed in aheat and liquefied lubricating liquid. When the liquefied lubricatingliquid gradually becomes thick lubricant oil at room temperature, thechain assemblage is homogenized to be coated with the lubricant oil. Inthe long term, the critical occurrence attendant on the lubricant-coatedchain is the large consumption of the lubricant oil caused by thewrapping of soil, mud, or sand on the chain components and thecombination thereof with the redundant oil. Such difficulty not onlydecreases the efficiency of the chain operation but obstructs thefurther addition of the liquid lubricant into the chain shaft.Therefore, the conventional chain configuration is still in a ruggedoperation. The conventional chain also facilely incurs the problems ofthe rusty chain shaft and the oil stains on user's clothes whileoperating the chain.

A closed prior is cited by Taiwanese Patent No. M275160, shown in FIG.8, also exists the aforementioned deficiencies, in which mainlydiscloses to embed inner protrusions A1 of chain plates A intorespective chain hubs B. Such configuration also renders the lubricatingoil unable to drip into chain axles C, and the chain axles C wouldfacilely become rusty and result in the premature abrasion andexhaustion of the chain plates A.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a lubricatingarrangement that coats every chain component with layers ofnon-electrolytic nickel and Polytetrafluoroethylene alloy to obtain anautomatic lubrication and to increase the surface hardness anddurability of the chain without burdening the tensile strength.

The present invention in conformity with the lubricating arrangement ofchain assemblage applied to components thereof mainly comprises a firstlubricating layer coating the surface of the chain assemblage and asecond lubricating layer covering the surface of the first lubricatinglayer; wherein, the first lubricating layer is preferably fabricated ofa non-electrolytic nickel layer in a thickness of 2 to 5 micrometers(i), and the second lubricating layer is preferably made of aPolytetrafluoroethylene alloy (PTFE alloy) layer in a thickness of 2 to8 micrometers (i) and provided with the volume ofPolytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE, namely Teflon) ranging from 3 to 35 vol%.

Further, the chain assemblage comprises one of a chain hub, a chainaxle, an interior chain plate, an exterior chain plate and a bushing orthe combination of the above.

The chain assemblage is preferably constituted of the eighth group ofperiodic element.

The non-electrolytic nickel layer preferably has components in weight(wt %) ranging from 6 to 13 wt % phosphorus (P) and 87 to 94 wt % nickel(Ni).

The PTFE alloy layer preferably contains ranging from 20 to 35 vol %PTFE and provides the density ranging from 5.9 to 6.8 g/cm³, equatingwith 6 to 12.5 wt %. The PTFE alloy layer further comprises componentsin weight (wt %) ranging from 7.5 to 10 wt % phosphorus (P) and 77 to 86wt % nickel (Ni).

The second lubricating layer is further overlaid with either areinforcing layer or a painting, wherein the reinforcing layer is alayer of titanium nitride (TiN).

Accordingly, the advantages of present invention set forth below:

-   1. In view of the first non-electrolytic nickel layer possessing the    properties of an even coating, a great adhesion, a high hardness,    favorable wear and corrosion resistances, and available welding and    coating hardness higher than 500 HV (HRC50). The coating hardness    would preferably obtain 1000 HV (HRC70) via processing a specific    treatment, so as to efficiently enhance the hardness of the chain    assemblage.-   2. The present invention renders the particles of PTFE ranging from    3 to 35 vol % to be dispersed eutectoidly with respect to the    non-electrolytic nickel layer for the purpose of lubricating the    chain assemblage. Such layer substantially provides the merits:    -   (1) a favorable lubrication with a lower friction coefficient;    -   (2) a broad temperature endurance;    -   (3) a great corrosion resistance to attain a strong chemical        stability;    -   (4) a non-adhesive surface;    -   (5) a favorable electric insulation with a minimum value of        dielectric constant within the wide frequency;    -   (6) a great ageing retardation without being subject to the        erosion of Oxygen, Ozone, and ultraviolet rays;    -   (7) a precious incombustibility; and    -   (8) a diminutive absorption capability.-   3. The components of the chain assemblage, which would be    alternatively made of the eighth group of periodic element as well    as the alloy thereof, stainless steel, copper (Cu) as well as the    alloy thereof, titanium (Ti) as well as the alloy thereof, and    magnesium (Mg) as well as the alloy thereof, can be coated with the    non-electrolytic nickel layer, hence attaining a wide application.

The advantages of the present invention over the known prior arts willbecome more apparent to those of ordinary skilled in the art by readingthe following descriptions with the relating drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing chain components according to afirst preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of an interiorchain plate according to the first preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2A is a local cross-sectional view showing the interior chain plateaccording to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of an exteriorchain plate according to the first preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3A is a local cross-sectional view showing the exterior chain plateaccording to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a chain hubaccording to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a local cross-sectional view showing the chain hub accordingto the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a chain axleaccording to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5A is a local cross-sectional view showing the chain axle accordingto the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing chain components according to asecond preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a bushingaccording to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7A is a local cross-sectional view the bushing according to thesecond preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional chainassemblage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before describing in greater detail, it should note that the likeelements are denoted by the similar reference numerals throughout thedisclosure.

FIG. 1 shows a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, achain assemblage of the present invention is primarily constituted ofthe eighth group of periodic element, namely elements of ferrum (F),cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), ruthenium (Ru), rhodium (Rn), palladium (Pd),osmium (Os), iridium (Ir), platinum (Pt) and the alloy thereof. Further,the chain assemblage includes a pair of interior chain plates 1, a pairof exterior chain plates 2, a chain hub 3, and a chain axle 4.

The pair of interior chain plates 1 are disposed in relative positions.Each interior chain plate 1 includes a first pivot bore 11 arrangedthereon, a first lubricating layer 12, and a second lubricating layer 13as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 2A. The first lubricating layer 12 coatsthe surface of the interior chain plate 1 and has a thickness of 2 to 5micrometers (i). Particularly, the first lubricating layer 12 ispreferably fabricated of a non-electrolytic nickel layer containing inweight (wt %) of 6 to 13 wt % phosphorus (P) and 87 to 94 wt % nickel(Ni). It is adopted in the first embodiment that the non-electrolyticnickel layer having components in weight of 11 wt % phosphorus and 89 wt% nickel. The physical properties of the non-electrolytic nickel layerin different proportions of phosphorus and nickel are depicted in Table1:

TABLE 1 Physical characteristics of the non-electrolytic nickel layer indifferent proportions of P and Ni. Specification 9151 115 754Configuration piece particle particle particle Lustrous brilliant half-half- brilliant brilliant Proportion of P 6-9 wt % 11-13 wt % 7-9 wt %Melting point 960° C. 860° C. 890° C. Specific gravity 8.2 7.9 8.0Electrical Resistance (μΩ/cm) 60 60 60 Coefficient of Thermal 13-15 1315 Expansion (μm/m * ° C.) Hardness (HV) 619 556 594 Hardness after heatat 350° C. 1009 1002 1130 for one hour (HV) Stress half- compresscompress compress Magnetism micro- non- non- magnetic magnetic magneticDensity (psi) 50000-70000 50000-70000 50000-70000 Corrosion Resistancegood excellent excellent Chemical Resistance good excellent excellentConsistency below ± 5% below ± 5% below ± 5% Precipitation Velocity(μm/hr) 22 15 15 Plumbum (Pb) Inclusion non 100 ppm 650 ppm

In addition, the chain assemblage, which is alternatively made of theeighth group of periodic element as well as the alloy thereof, stainlesssteel, copper (Cu) as well as the alloy thereof, titanium (Ti) as wellas the alloy thereof, and magnesium (Mg) as well as the alloy thereof,can be coated with the non-electrolytic nickel layer, hence attaining awide application.

Furthermore, the second lubricating layer 13 coats the surface of thefirst lubricating layer 12 and has a thickness of 2 to 8 micrometers(μ). The second lubricating layer 13 is preferably made of aPolytetrafluoroethylene alloy (PTFE alloy) layer that contains particlesof Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) ranging from 3 to 35 vol % for beingdispersed eutectoidly among the non-electrolytic nickel layer. It isadopted in the first preferred embodiment that the PTFE alloy layer,which includes the proportion in weight (wt %) ranging from 7.5 to 10 wt% phosphorus (P) and 77 to 86 wt % nickel (Ni), possesses 20 to 35 vol %PTFE and a density ranging from 5.9 to 6.8 g/cm³, equating with 6 to12.5 wt %. A subsequent layer of titanium nitride (TiN) can serve as areinforcing layer or process through the painting treatment for coatingthe surface of the second lubricating layer 13. The physicalcharacteristics of the PTFE alloy layer with different proportionsaddition to PTFE particles and the non-electrolytic nickel layer areherein shown in Table 2:

TABLE 2 Comparisons between physical characteristics of the PTFE alloylayer in proportions and the non-electrolytic nickel layer. non- TypeLow High electrolytic Item PTFE alloy PTFE alloy nickel Ni (wt %) 83-8677-83 88-92 P (wt %) 7.5-9    8-10  8-12 PTFE (wt %)   6-8.5  9.5-12.50   (20-25 vol %) (29-35 vol %) PTFE 0.2-0.4 0.2-0.4 non aggregates (μm)Density (g/cm³) 6.4-6.8 5.9-6.3 7.9 Hard-ness before heat 250-350200-300 500-550 (HV) treatment after heat 400-500 350-450 550-900treatment

Table 3 further performs the comparisons between the frictioncoefficients of PTFE alloy layer and that of the conventional materialwith lower friction coefficients as set forth below:

TABLE 3 Comparisons between lubricating layers and typical materialsItem Dynamic friction Type Static friction coefficient coefficient PTFEalloy 0.134 0.097 Non-electrolytic nickel 0.191 0.144Steel-Plate-Coldrolled-Coil 0.507 0.427 (SPCC) Copper (Cu) 0.232 0.146Aluminum (Al) 0.171 0.106

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 3A, the pair of exterior chain plates 2relatively overlaps the pair of interior chain plates 1. Each exteriorchain plate 2 also has a second pivot bore 21 relative to the firstpivot bore 11. Each exterior chain plate 2 is also coated with a firstlubricating layer 22 and a second lubricating layer 23. The charactersof the lubricating layers have been described as above and herein areomitted.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 4A, the chain hub 3 is disposed between thepair of the interior chain plates 1 and has a circular contour, on whicha hub orifice 31 is defined. The chain hub 3 is also coated with a firstlubricating layer 32 and a second lubricating layer 33. The charactersof the lubricating layers have been described as above and herein areomitted.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 5A, the chain axle 4 penetrates through the huborifice 31 of the chain hub 3 and pivots to the second pivot bores 21 ofadjacent exterior chain plates 2 and the first pivot bores 11 ofadjacent interior chain plates 1. The chain axle 4 is also coated with afirst lubricating layer 41 and a second lubricating layer 42. Thecharacters of the lubricating layers have been described as above andherein are omitted.

FIG. 6 shows a second preferred embodiment of the present invention,which is substantially similar to the first preferred embodiment withthe exception described hereinafter. The chain assemblage furthercomprises a bushing 5, in which a bushing orifice 51 is defined. Thebushing 5 densely embeds among the pair of the interior chain plates 1and disposed within the chain hub 3 for permitting turning. Asillustrated in FIGS. 7 and 7A, the bushing 5 is also coated with a firstlubricating layer 52 and a second lubricating layer 53. The charactersof the lubricating layers have been described as above and herein areomitted.

To sum up, the present invention mainly coat every component of thechain assemblage with dual lubricating layers, that is, the firstnon-electrolytic nickel layers 12, 22, 32, 41, 52 possessing thecharacteristics of a homogeneous coating, a great adhesion, a highhardness, a favorable wear resistance, a preferable anti-corrosion, andavailable welding and coating hardness higher than 500 HV (HRC50). Thecoating hardness would preferably obtain 1000 HV (HRC70) via processinga specific treatment, so as to efficiently enhance the hardness of thechain assemblage. Further, in view of the second lubricating layers 13,23, 33, 42, 53 is the PTFE alloy layer having a friction coefficientlower than the conventional materials (see Table 3). The secondlubricating layer substantially provides the merits of a favorablelubrication and a non-adhesive surface, thereby avoiding the wrapping ofthe dirt on the components and the rugged operation of the chainassemblage. Further, the second lubricating layer also possesses theproperties of a strong temperature endurance, a favorable electricinsulation, a great ageing retardation, a precious incombustibility, agreat corrosion resistance to enhance the chemical stability, and adiminutive absorption capability. Consequently, the present inventionfacilitates to attain a durable utilization without frequent renewals,an automatic lubricating effect, and an increment of the surfacehardness of the chain assemblage without burdening the tensile strength.

While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with thepresent invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art thatfurther embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of thepresent invention.

1. A lubricating arrangement of a chain assemblage applied to components thereof including: a first lubricating layer coating surfaces of said chain components; wherein, said first lubricating layer being fabricated of a non-electrolytic nickel layer in a thickness of 2-5 micrometers (μ); and a second lubricating layer covering a surface of said first lubricating layer; wherein, said second lubricating layer being made of a Polytetrafluoroethylene alloy (PTFE alloy) layer that contains a thickness ranging between 2-8μ and a volume of PTFE ranging between 3-35 vol %.
 2. The lubricating arrangement of a chain assemblage as claimed in claim 1, wherein, said chain assemblage comprises one of a chain hub, a chain axle, an interior chain plate, an exterior chain plate and a bushing or the combination of the above.
 3. The lubricating arrangement of a chain assemblage as claimed in claim 1, wherein, said chain assemblage is constituted of the eighth group of periodic element.
 4. The lubricating arrangement of a chain assemblage as claimed in claim 1, wherein, said non-electrolytic nickel layer has components in weight ranging among 6-13 wt % phosphorus (P) and 87-94 wt % nickel (Ni).
 5. The lubricating arrangement of a chain assemblage as claimed in claim 1, wherein, said PTFE alloy layer includes the 20-35 vol % PTFE and a density ranging between 5.9-6.8 g/cm³, equating with 6-12.5 wt %; said PTFE alloy layer further comprises components 7.5-10 wt % phosphorus (P) and 77-86 wt % nickel (Ni)
 6. The lubricating arrangement of a chain assemblage as claimed in claim 1, wherein, said second lubricating layer is further overlaid with either a reinforcing layer or painting, and said reinforcing layer is preferably a layer of nitrogen titanium (TiN). 